"Be careful not to capsize in a ditch. We must stay cautious. The Elder entrusted you to me, so I'm responsible for all of you."
"Losing even one of you is a loss to the Uchiha. I don't want anyone dying because of me. So stay alert. Understood?" Isamu said seriously.
"Understood, Lord Isamu!" The Uchiha clan members felt a surge of respect. They hadn't expected this seemingly strict captain to care so much about their lives. This was someone worth following wholeheartedly.
"Good. We'll take turns standing watch in pairs—two hours per shift. I'll take a solo shift. Those who need rest, rest properly. Everyone conserve your energy." After speaking, Isamu returned to the wooden hut he had created.
The night passed quietly under rotating watch, with no incidents.
Early the next morning, the group set off again. This time, they didn't rush at full speed, but maintained a steady pace.
Three led at the front, four covered the flanks, two guarded the rear, while Isamu and Zhan stayed in the center.
"Maintain formation. Don't fall behind. Stay alert," Isamu instructed.
"Tch, having more people really is troublesome. They're all clan members—I can't just ignore anyone. If it were just me, I'd already be there," he muttered.
"Hehe, with you around, I feel completely at ease, Isamu. You're so reliable," Zhan teased in an exaggerated feminine voice.
"If you keep that up, I might actually turn you into a woman," Isamu shot back, glancing meaningfully downward.
"Alright, alright, I'm done! Just joking to pass the time," Zhan said quickly, putting some distance between them.
Does this guy have mood swings or something? Zhan thought, eyeing him cautiously.
Unaware of Zhan's thoughts, Isamu remained fully focused on the surroundings, ready to react at any moment.
Another day passed.
By the fourth day, they finally neared the border.
"The outpost is 20 kilometers ahead. Watch for explosive tag traps. One of you up front—activate your Sharingan and clear the path," Isamu ordered.
With the Sharingan scouting ahead, they advanced safely. Soon, they were just five kilometers from the camp.
"Who goes there! Stop immediately, or I won't hold back!"
A kunai shot out from the shadows, embedding itself in the ground before them.
"We are Konoha ninja! Identify yourself!" one of the Uchiha shouted, drawing his weapon.
"Konoha ninja? Show proof," came the voice.
Isamu stepped forward, annoyed. "Always asking for proof. Don't you people ever come up with new lines? These eyes are proof enough—look carefully."
His three-tomoe Sharingan spun into view.
The ninja hidden in the shadows visibly relaxed upon seeing it. No other village possessed the Sharingan.
Since they weren't enemies—at least on the surface—he stepped out.
"Sorry about that. Things have been chaotic lately. Enemies keep infiltrating in disguise, so we have to be careful. Follow me, I'll take you to camp."
He turned to lead them.
Isamu's eyes narrowed.
"Heh. We've proven we're from Konoha. Now how do you prove it?" he asked calmly.
"That's right," Zhan added, stepping forward. "How do we know you're not the fake?"
"You still doubt me? Fine, I have my village exit permit. Take a look."
He handed it over.
"Shiranui Nishizumi… with the official seal. Looks legitimate," Zhan said, glancing at Isamu.
But Isamu didn't relax.
Something felt wrong.
The hesitation earlier. The overly smooth behavior. And that unnatural calm…
"Looks like I was overthinking," Isamu said with a faint smile. "I thought maybe you were an Iwa ninja in disguise."
"Exactly," the man chuckled. "We're too close to camp for enemies to appear. Let's move—there's good food waiting."
He turned and started walking.
The Uchiha were about to follow—
—but Zhan suddenly raised a hand signal.
Instantly, everyone stopped.
Enemy.
The signal was clear.
The man walked a few steps before noticing no one followed. He turned back.
"Why aren't you coming?"
Isamu smirked.
"Heh… since there's good food, I won't be polite."
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two shuriken flew straight at him.
The man reacted instantly, dodging sideways.
When he looked up again, his expression had completely changed.
"I didn't expect to be exposed. How did you figure it out?"
Isamu shrugged lightly. "I didn't. That was just a test."
A pause.
Then a faint smile.
"But since you admitted it… there's no need to test anymore."
The man's face darkened.
"A test… Konoha ninja really are cunning. I was hoping to lure you into a trap—maybe even take a pair of Sharingan. Seems that won't happen now."
Though he spoke casually, his eyes flickered toward a patch of forest.
Escape route.
With eleven opponents—likely all Jonin—fighting head-on was suicide.
He needed a chance to run.
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